Lever actuated spring assembling hand vise



April 1, 1952 L. E. SOWELL 2,591,210

LEVER ACTUATED SPRING ASSEMBLING HAND VISE Filed June 16, 1948 2 Sl-iEETS-SI-IEET 1 Fig.2.

Luther E. Sowel/ IN V EXTO R.

April 1, 1952 E. SOWELL LEVER ACTUATED SPRING ASSEMBLING HAND VISE Filed June 16, 1948 2 SHEETS-SHEET 2 Luther E. San ell INVENTOR.

Patented Apr. 1, 1952 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE LEVER ACTUATED SPRING ASSEMBLING HAND VISE 4 Claims.

This invention relates to new and useful improvements in vises and the primary object of the present invention is to provide a device for clampingly engaging the main spring of an automobile so that the connecting bolts of the spring may be quickly and readily removed therefrom in a convenient manner.

Another important object of the present invention is to provide a vise including a pair of pivotal arms and embodying novel and improved means for adjustably retaining the arms in position relative to each other.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a vise including a pair of complementary adjustable arms, and novel and improved jaw means carried by the arms which may be employed for clampingly supporting an article therebetween, for cutting or marking an article therebetween, and for punching or holding an article disposed between the same.

A still further aim of the present invention is to provide a vise that is simple and practical in construction, strong and reliable in use, small and compact in structure, neat and attractive in appearance, relatively inexpensive to manufacture, and otherwise well adapted for the purposes for which the same is intended.

Other objects and advantages reside in the details of construction and operation as more fully hereinafter described and claimed, reference being had to the accompanying drawings forming part hereof, wherein like numerals refer to like parts throughout, and in which:

Figure 1 is a perspective view showing the present vise in use as applied to a vehicle main spring;

Figure 2 is a longitudinal vertical sectional view showing the present invention in use, and with parts removed therefrom;

Figure 3 is a bottom plan view of Figure 2;

Figure 4 is a similar view of Figure 1, taken in an opposite direction thereof;

Figure 5 is a somewhat similar view as Figure 2, and showing the spring fastening means in a further modified foi m;

Figure 6 is a longitudinal vertical sectional view the present invention, showing in dotted lines an alternate position of the jaw holding arms;

Figure 7 is a longitudinal horizontal sectional view taken substantiaily on the plane of section line l? of Figure 6;

Figure 8 is an end elevational view of the present invention, and with parts broken away i Figure 9 is a perspective view of the'jaw members used in conjunction with the present invention, in slightly modified form;

Figure 10 is a perspective view of a further type of jaw member used in conjunction with the present invention;

Figure 11 is another type of jaw member used in conjunction with the present invention;

Figure 12 is a perspective view of a still further type of jaw member used in conjunction with the present invention;

Figure 13 is a perspective view of another type of jaw member used in conjunction with the present invention; and

Figure 14 is a group perspective view of the fasteners and spacers used in conjunction with the present invention.

Referring now to the drawings in detail, wherein for the purpose of illustration, there is disclosed a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the numeral llJ represents a pair of spaced parallel, substantially trapezoidal or rectangular side members that are connected by a bolt and nut l 2 which supports a spacer sleeve l4 that will retain the said side members spaced relative to each other. These side members may be constructed of any suitable material such as metal, plastic, wood or the like.

Connecting the rear corners or ends l6 of the side members or walls 12, is a pair of spaced parallel bolts and nuts l8 on which there are disposed sleeves or bushings 20 that pivotally engage the inner, eye terminals '22 of a pair of levers or arms 24.

The forward or outer terminals 26 of the arms 24 project outwardly or forwardly from the side members In and pivotally engage links or pitmans 28 that are pivotally connected to a guide member or pin 30 that slidably engages opposed longitudinal recesses or slots 32 provided in the inner faces of the side members Ill.

The forward end 34 of an actuating bar 36 is pivoted on the pin 30 and between the inner ends of the links 28, and the outer end of this bar 35 projects from the side members and is pivoted to a lever 33 adjacent the eye end 40 thereof.

A fastener 42 connects the side members In adjacent one of their rear corners I6 and supports a bushing or spacer sleeve 44 that pivotally engages the eye end 40 of the lever 38.

The lever 33 is provided with a socket or recess 46 in its free end that engages a suitable handle or auxiliary lever 48 which is held in said recess by a removable pin or fastener 5flthat en- 3 gages aligned apertures provided in the handle 48 and the lever 38.

One longitudinal edge of the actuating bar 36 is provided with a plurality of teeth 52 that are engageable with the pointed extremity 54 of a dog 56. This dog 56 is pivoted on a pin 58 that extends between the side members In and which is provided with removable finger-gripping heads 6%] at its terminals that project outwardly from one of the side members to facilitate a manual pivotal movement of the dog 54 into and out of engagement with the teeth 52.

A hand-grip or a pair of grips 62 is fixed to one of the side members it, or both side members l0, whereby the present clamp or vise may be conveniently handled.

Pivotally and removably secured to the outer end portions 26 of the levers 24, by pins, fasteners or the like 6 3, is a pair of channel-shaped jaw members 66 that are provided with opposed openings 66. Rigidly secured by Welding or the like to the web portion of one of the jaw members, is an angulated stop H1 for a purpose which will later be more fully apparent.

In practical use of the present invention, the jaw members are disposed on opposite sides of a vehicle spring 12, as shown best in Figures 1 and of the drawings. By pulling outwardly upon the lever 38, the jaws 24 will be pivoted inwardly toward each other and the dog 54 will engage'the teeth 52 to prevent further movement of the arms 24. In this position, the spring bolt 74 will be engaged by the apertures 68 provided in the jaw members 66. A suitable socket wrench l6 may then be applied to the nut portionof the bolt "M to rotate the same in order to tightly apply thebolt 14 to the spring 72 or to remove the same therefrom.

Figures 2 and 4 illustrate the manner in which a bolt is positioned relative to the aligned apertures formed in the sections of the spring 12. It is noted that when the device is employed in this capacity, a lug I8 is fixed to the head portion of the bolt 80 so that the same will engage the stop 18 to prevent rotation of the pin 80.

Reference is now made to Figure 9, wherein there is disclosed another type of jaw members that are used in conjunction with the present invention. In this embodiment, the jaw members are provided with concaved recesses 82 that will embrace the outer periphery of a pipe, or other such cylindrical object. The concaved surfaces .82 may be provided with gripping teeth or serrations to permit the same to tightly grip that article that is held between the same.

Reference is now directed to Figure 10, Wherein there is disclosed the jaw members in further modified form. Rigidly secured to the web portion of the jaw member 84, is an outwardly projecting pin or rod 86 which may be employed for stretching wire, springs, or other such elements in which instance the rods 86 will function as anchoring means about which the wire is placed.

Figure 11 shows a jaw member 88 that is also employed as a means for stretching wire. This jaw member 88 is provided with an extended web portion 9i! having a substantially V-shaped central slot 92 that will engage a length of wire that is to be stretched.

A still further type of jaw member 94 is illustrated in Figure 12 of the drawings. This jaw member is provided with a cutter bladeor shearing blade 96 that Will cooperate with a complefor shearing, cutting, or marking various types of material.

Figure 13 illustrates a still further type of jaw member 98 that is used in conjunction with the present vise. This jaw member is provided with an undisturbed web portion that functions as a bearing surface to engage bearings or the like whereby the said bearings or bushings may be inserted into place.

Obviously, there are many suitable types of jaws that could be used in conjunction with the present invention, such as jaws having serrated faces or gripping teeth or jaws which are con structed of resilient material for the handling of surfaces when it is desired to move articles Without scratching or marring the smooth surfaces thereof.

It is noted that all of the jaw members are substantially channel-shaped in configuration so that the outer extremity of the arms 24 will engage the webv portions thereof to limit the pivotal movement of the jaws in both directions. However, the web portions of the jaw members will be substantially parallel to each other when;

the same are in use.

In view of the foregoin description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings it is believed that a clear understanding of the construction, operation and advantages of the device will be quite apparent to those skilled in this art. A more detailed description is accordingly deemed unnecessary.

It is to be understood, however, that even though there is herein shown and described a preferred embodiment of the invention the same is susceptible to certain changes fully comprehended by the spirit of the invention as herein described and the scope of the appended claims.

Having described the invention, what is claimed as new is:

1. A vise comprising a pair of spaced side members, a pair of arms pivoted between said side members, opposed recesses provided in the inner faces of said side members and extending at right angles'to the pivots for the arms, an elongated guide having its ends slidably mounted in said recesses, links connecting said guide to said arms, a pair of clamping jaws carried by said arms, a lever pivoted between said side members, an actuating bar carried by said lever and connected to said guide, and means carried by the side members for locking said actuating bar in an adjusted position.

2. A vise comprising a pair of spaced side members, a pair of arms pivoted between said side members, opposed recesses provided in the inner faces of said side members, an elongated guide having its ends slidably received in said recesses, links connecting said guide to said arms, a pair of clamping jaws carried by said arms, a lever pivoted between said side members, an actuating bar carried by said lever and connected to said guide, said actuating bar having a, toothed edge, and a locking member pivoted between said side members and engageable with the toothed edge of said actuating bar.

3. A vise comprising a pair of spaced side members, a pair or" arms pivoted to and between said side members, registering recesses in the side members, an elongated guide having its end slidably received in said recesses, links connecting said guide to said arms, a pair of clamping jaws carried by said arms, lever pivoted between said side members, an actuating bar terminally pivoted to said guide and said lever, means carried by the side members engaging the bar for looking the actuating bar in an adjusted position, and means carried by one jaw and extending through the other jaw for centering the sections of a vehicle spring between said jaws.

4. The combination of claim 3 wherein said means includes a headed pin, a stop secured to said one of said jaws, and a lug on the head of said pin overlying and engaging said stop.

LUTHER E. SOWELL.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

Number Number 6 UNITED STATES PATENTS Name Date Havel] Oct. 30, 1877 Thompson Mar. 31, 1896 Young Apr. 10, 1928 Correa May 27, 1930 Hippey May 23, 1933 Edwards Aug. 29, 1933 McLaughlin Nov. 14, 1939 Smith Mar. 2, 1948 FOREIGN PATENTS Country Date Great Britain Feb. 17, 1891 Great Britain Feb. 19, 1946 

